Religious groups free to discriminate

THE Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has assured religious groups they will retain their right to discriminate against those who might cause "injury to religious sensitivities" under the new Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Bill, according to the head of the Australian Christian Lobby.

Under current law faith-based organisations can discriminate against homosexuals and transgender people and certain other classes if it "is necessary to avoid injury to the religious sensitivities of adherents of that religion".

Ms Gillard has met the managing director of the Australian Christian Lobby, Jim Wallace, several times and he says she assured him that ''she has no intention of restricting freedom of religion'' when it comes to their legal rights to discriminate in hiring and firing decisions.

The Prime Minister said through a spokesperson: "We don't comment on discussions with stakeholders.''

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The faiths are big employers, and the Catholic Church in particular is one of Australia's largest private employers.

They rely on government funding but because of their religious status they are allowed to discrimnitate against potential employees in ways that would be illegal for non-religious organisations.

Clarification: The original version of the story said religious groups will have the freedom to discriminate against those deemed "sinners". In fact, the draft law refers to those who might cause "injury to religious sensitivities", a group that includes homosexuals.